Theresa Marie Gallagher McFadden

Theresa Marie Gallagher McFadden, age 94, died peacefully on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at home. Born April 9, 1926 in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Pittsburgh), Theresa was the fourth of six children born to Adrian and Adelaide Gallagher. When she was four, she and her family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she attended elementary school. Theresa earned an academic scholarship to attend high school at the prestigious St. Theresa's Academy from which she graduated in 1943. Among other things that were not obvious in her everyday personality, Theresa played field hockey (a rough sport) in high school, and took flying lessons out of Fairfax airport in Kansas City during the war years. As the war came to an end, like many of her peers, she found her true love and married Howard L. "Pat" McFadden, who was the big brother of her neighborhood girlfriend Penny. They were married on April 24, 1948. While Pat finished up law school at the University of Kansas City, Theresa busied herself with child rearing! With four in tow they moved to Osage Bend in 1953 and subsequently built the homestead on a bluff high above the Osage River near Wardsville in 1956 a year after child number five made his debut. As if she didn't have her hands full enough, four more arrived to complete the family. Theresa spent her entire life in service to others. Not withstanding the obvious service to her family, her community service started early on with her commitment to the Catholic Church, most notably St. Margaret's in Osage Bend and St. Stanislaus in Wardsville. Once her youngest entered junior high, she cast her net farther and started volunteering in Jefferson City. She spent countless hours over the next 45 years spreading her goodness to organizations like the Juvenile Attention Center, New Horizons, The Elks Auxiliary, Manos Amigas, and ending most recently with small purchases to gift the children of acquaintances she would meet along the way. An ardent supporter of those less fortunate, she was constantly looking for ways to make people feel special. Theresa's children and grandchildren were the recipients of her boundless energy and quest for new adventures. Exploring the woods, riding the train to Kansas City, and putting on fashion shows with yard sale treasures are things she enriched our lives with. Though she carted us to the library frequently, education, from any source, was valued and encouraged. She made us look at our surroundings and find ways to enjoy, learn, and of course, give back. She made sure we knew we are loved and valued for our individuality. Just Be Nice is her legacy. She shared with us over and over again that she valued experience over material things and would put energy and expense into providing experiences for her kids rather than costly "bling." As a result, her children spent years traveling and working in far flung corners of the United States and as well as overseas accumulating "experience." Theresa was preceded in death by her parents, Adrian and Adelaide; five siblings, Adelaide, Ceil, Edward, Elise, and Peggy; husband, Howard L. McFadden; and her son, Leslie J. McFadden. She leaves behind eight children and one daughter-in-law: Greg M. McFadden and wife Marji, Denise F. Suttles and husband Ron, Randall L. McFadden, Kevin B. McFadden and wife Rachel, daughter-in-law, Irma Buschjost McFadden, Barbara S. McFadden and husband Tom Rocklin, Michele A. McFadden and husband Maurice Manring, Kirk E. McFadden, and Susan M. McFadden; 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren round out her clan. Friends will be received from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Houser-Millard Funeral Directors to share in a celebration of Theresa's life. In lieu of flowers, the family hopes that you will continue Theresa's mission of paying it forward and being kind to those in and out of your walks of life. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109, (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.